God Does Amazing Work (and sometimes He uses us)

Well, I have been trying to figure out how to blog this kidney journey which has transformed from a journey with my husband donating his kidney to our journey with me donating mine.

It's hard for me to put this post out there.  My fears are of the people who say "that is so selfless, amazing, wonderful, you are a saint."  My fear is also of the people who say "Have you thought about your kids & husband, what if (insert any number of possible ways I could damage my one remaining kidney), Are you sure you aren't trying to play God, why doesn't your husband step up and stop you from doing this?"

These are all comments I have received from family and friends and my fear is that I rarely know how to respond.  I think my response to all comments I receive should be:


God is doing amazing things all the time, and I'm blessed that He sees fit at this moment in time to use me in His plan for Kathy's health.

So, as God has opened all of the doors necessary for this kidney donation and transplant to occur, I ask for your prayers.  The surgeries will take place in a week on January 10th.  So, please pray for Kathy and myself as we both undergo surgery.  Pray also for Kathy as she prepares to receive my kidney. Currently she continues on dialysis and is going through a process called plasmapheresis before she can receive my kidney.  Both of us will need to recover from surgery and my body will need to adjust to the one kidney while Kathy's body will need to adjust to my kidney.  I also believe she will need more plasmapheresis treatments for a week post transplant, and will need to remain in the hospital much longer than myself as she adjusts to the kidney, anti rejection drugs etc.  In all of this I also ask for prayer that we would both grow closer to God through this, and that we would not forget that it is His amazing work at hand here.

With all of the physical needs with donation and transplantation, I can't help but recognize that the physical needs are just temporary needs, but our spiritual needs are eternal. 

Romans 8:18 - "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us."

Thankfully God's word is true, and while God is doing something amazing in my life and in Kathy's, I know I will fall and have fallen short in many ways.  I make poor decisions, I forget to call on the One who is faithful, compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love.  I could go on and on about how I will fail God, but thankfully God will never fail me.

"...be content with what you have, for He has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5b

Pray for hearts to be forever changed and please remember what is amazing in all of this kidney stuff is all of the work God is doing in the midst of what physically is a lousy situation.  But God can use this situation for His good purpose.  "For those who love [Him] all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28.

As Kathy and I head into life changing surgeries on January 10th, I know that "It is the LORD who goes before [us]. He will be with [us]; He will not leave [us] or forsake [us]. [Therefor we will] not fear or be dismayed.” - Deuteronomy 31:8

Insert funny kidney joke here, but they're really hard to find.  The best I could do was this picture:

I guess for me it's technically Goodbye 😭

Thanks for praying!

1 John 1 - "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Romans 8:1-2 - "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death."  

NOT perfect...

I'm certainly not perfect, not that anyone thinks I am.  Monday and Tuesday, however, made that abundantly clear for both Rob & myself.

So, my youngest, Chris, had been sick on Sunday and he woke up Monday morning with a fever. Like any "good" mom with a schedule to keep the week before Easter, I drugged him up with some ibuprofen so in a couple of hours we could be on our way.

Just a side, I keep reading all these mom posts about letting the fever run it's course, but I opted for drugs - just saying.  Maybe next time on letting the fever run its course.

The meds did their job and we were on the road to complete our shopping errands. All was well and I was loading up the van with groceries when I realized I forgot to buy the ham - kind of an important part of Easter dinner.

So, Chris & I headed back inside for the ham and when we came back to the front of the store, I realized I left my purse in the car. Sigh...annoying but no big deal we'd just run out to get it. Of course as I reached into my coat pocket for my keys, I discovered their absence from that specific location.  Praying that somehow, one of the doors to my van remained unlocked I went back to check every door to no avail. Thankfully, while I prayed for unlocked doors, God had other thoughts in mind.

Back inside, I asked for a phone book & phone (cell is in my purse in the car). God began answering my prayers and a manager at the Giant gave me her phone so I could google friends phone numbers.

My friend,Tam, was home and willing to go to my house to get my keys and drive them to me. I can not thank her enough! It only took maybe 30 minutes of Eye spy, Simon Says, the Tootie Ta Song and Going on a Bear Hunt before I saw the most wonderful sight of a silver minivan with my friend and my keys. I thank God for friends willing to drop what they are doing and help when helping wasn't on their agenda.

But wait, we still have Tuesday. Chris woke up at midnight with a fever, so that meant no school on Tuesday which I did remember to call the school about. Fortunately, he was pretty good by the morning, so I was able to watch the 2 kids I usually watch on Tuesdays.

We all went shopping with a friend and got back home in time for an 11:30 lunch and in time for the van to drop off child number 3 ( half days this week). But then the pre-school calls and my doorbell rings. I completely forgot to let the mom of the boy I pick up from school know that I couldn't get him. Fail!!!   Oh, and here's the kicker this isn't the first time I've forgotten to call her when Chris was sick. It's just the first time it led to him being left at school.

My husband's response to this story, however, was "at least he wasn't alone." Why would he say this? Well, latter on Tuesday night he was to bring Eric's friend home from soccer practice. They pull into the garage and I ask Rob, "Where's the friend?"

Rob's response "I dropped him off at home.".
My response: " You did what??? Nobody is home!"
Rob: "His dad's car was there and he went inside."
Me: "They went in the other car!"

Needless to say he went back for him while I called the dad.  So, at least I didn't leave someone else's kid home alone, but as we can see from just 2 days of this week, I'm not perfect.

I am so thankful for God's grace shown through my friend who drove out of her way to help me.  I'm also thankful for God's mercy shown through my friends who didn't get angry with Rob and myself for forgetting their kid, and for leaving their kid home alone.  Or at least I'm thankful they didn't show me their anger. :)

Wednesday's been a better day.....so far.

Refocusing this Christmas....

 

There's a lot of happiness at Christmas time, but there's a lot of sadness too.  Loss of loved ones, struggles with depression, illnesses and the list goes on.  The expectation is that we should all be happy.  After all it is the most wonderful time of the year.  

But Christmas isn't all about happiness, and isn't all about us, yet in our culture that's what we focus on.  We get so busy this time of year and so engrossed in our favorite traditions that we actually miss out on Christmas.  Minus the hour we spend Christmas Eve at a church service and the little things we do to try to refocus our family onto Christ and off of ourselves and even each other, we fail to truly celebrate Christmas.

My favorite Hallmark Christmas movies would have you believe that christmas is all about giving, romantic love & still believing in the spirit of Santa Claus.  It seems so sweet and perfect, but this version of christmas always misses the mark.

Yes, Christmas is about giving - Jesus gave His life for us.  In turn, we try to live our lives in a giving way, and Christmas always helps us "step it up."  We do this out of love, and "we love because He first loved us." -1 John 4:19

Yes, Christmas is about LOVE, not romantic love (which is still great for the movies).  Christmas is about that John 3:16 God love.  "For God so loved the world He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life."

Christ-Mass = Christ's death or the death of Christ = Christmas = Our salvation rests in what Jesus did on the cross.

Pause - Christmas tree hunting pictures!!  Don't get me wrong I love all of the fun traditions of Christmas!  I'm just feeling the need to refocus.

 

Finally, so many of my favorite Christmas movies perpetuate this need to believe in Santa.

Disclaimer - I have nothing against Santa.  I choose not to celebrate him with my kids, but I certainly don't think less of anyone who keeps the tradition of leaving milk and cookies for the jolly old elf.

Santa is fun, but it actually makes me really sad when I hear people and the movies akin the spirit of Christmas with the spirit of Santa.  As if somehow believing in Santa will save us from our selfish selves.

Let's try to recognize Jesus as the one who saves us from our selfish sinful selves, not St. Nick.

So, to my favorite Christmas movies, Christmas is not about still believing in the spirit of Santa Claus or the actual person of Kris Kringle.  It is wholly about the birth of our Lord and savior, Jesus Christ, "who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good.  These then are the things you should teach.  encourage and rebuke with all authority.  Do not let anyone despise you." 
- Titus 2:14-15

So, I will try to refocus this season as I return to my Hallmark Christmas movies and watching "The Santa ClausE" trilogy with my boys.  The true meaning of Christmas is still and will always be alive and well.  I just need some refocusing this Christmas and you get to share in my thoughts if you've read this far. :)

I recognize easter isn't too far away.  So, after and during each movie we watch I will try to remind myself and the boys of God's love for us.  I will remind them that it's always great to have fun with the fantasy of Santa and the fantasy world of most Christmas movies, and the reality of Jesus, God's son.  Let's not marginalize Jesus, the true gift of Christmas past, present and future.

Merry Christmas to all who are enjoying this season to it's fullest and to those of my friends and family struggling this time of year.

"For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders.  And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." - Isaiah 9:6


 
"He is not here;He is risen, just as He said.  Come and see the place where He lay."  - Matthew 28:6

Happy Birthday, Rob!!

Today is my wonderful husband's 36th birthday!  I truly married my best friend.  I am so blessed to have such a Godly man in my life.  Together we know Christ needs to be in the center of our marriage.  As hard as that is to live out practically, I know when we fail, the Holy Spirit is there to bring us back to where we need to be.

Sometimes life gets crazy busy, but in those quiet moments when the kids are sleeping and it's just us, I'm in my happy place.

Sometimes we each have annoying habits that drive us almost crazy (though some may eliminate the word almost), but we love each other because of and in spite of what dives us batty.

Sometimes we don't agree, sometimes we argue, but always we choose to love each other no matter what!

I love you Rob!  Happy Birthday, and I think I pulled off a successful birthday surprise gift.

Can't wait to share a special night with you, Toby Mac and Philly!

                                     

Happy Birthday to the Littlest Gregamie!!

On July 16, 2012 Rob and I were preparing for the birth of our third child.  After, child number two, it took a while before we decided we were missing one more member of our family.  At the time we thought that Sara would be the third and final child in our family.

Now, for those who are paying attention, I never gave birth to a Sara.  To be perfectly honest, I had a strong feeling the baby inside of me would be a boy, and he was!

Chris woke me up at 5 AM, and after dropping the kids off at Aunt Beth & Uncle Andy's we quickly made our way to the hospital.

Some people have long labors, and I feel extremely grateful that I never had that experience.  On the flip side, however, is the fact that quick labors mean a baby could come in the car or the elevator of the hospital or you name the unpredictable location.  Thankfully, God allowed all my babies to be born in the hospital, and in the actual birthing room.

Chris, however, was my quickest baby, and within 2 hours of that 5 AM wake up call, he was out. That boy did not want to be left behind, and he feels the same way to this day.  Chris is always trying to keep up with his big brothers just like every good youngest sibling.

I couldn't be more blessed to be his mommy!  I love you Christopher Thomas!!  You have completed our family of 5!  3 beautiful boys!!  2 Awesome parents (wink, wink)!!

And I wasn't entirely wrong about our family missing Sara.  One month after Chris joined our family, Sarah (with an h) Jane joined our extended family.  I can live vicariously through all of my 7 nieces!!

I love my three boys, and Chris, I love you!  Happy 3rd birthday!!  God has great plans for you!

Happy Anniversary to my Beloved!

Happy Anniversary, babe!  13 wonderful years, and now we're moving on to number 14. 

You are the most amazing, loving, caring forgiveness seeking, honest, and intelligent man!  God blessed me with a best friend and husband wrapped into one. I can't imagine married life any other way. 

"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  Love never ends."

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

I am so thankful that in Jesus this kind of love is possible, and that He is purifying us to live this love out in our lives every day!   We certainly aren't perfect, but I thank God we don't have to be, and that "He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people eager to do what is good."

I'm looking forward to all the good God has planned for us in the next 13 plus years. I love you Rob!!!

Kathy & Rob & Kidneys, Oh my!

Yesterday Rob went up to Harrisburg Hospital for two days of outpatient testing.  He is 100% healthy (we think), but his sister, Kathy, is not.

For the past couple of years, Rob's sister has been living with a kidney disease (IGA Nephropathy). This past fall she was hospitalized and it was determined that she was in kidney failure with only 5% total kidney function.  Since then she has been going through dialysis 3 times a week, and we have all been learning about kidney transplant options.  

Without a living and willing donor, Rob's sister would need to wait years before having a transplant. Most likely that kidney would come from someone who recently died.  There are some important factors to consider with transplant.  First, the longer you wait the less effective the transplant may be. Second, a kidney from a living donor lasts twice as long as a kidney from someone who has passed away.

So, Rob's gut reaction was "I'll donate one of my kidneys," and to be honest I'm right there with him. We love Kathy and can't imagine life here without her.  I think it's great that my wonderful husband can do something out of love for his big sister, and we have been praying and continue to pray about this possibility.  

This of course doesn't mean we don't have some anxiety, but we are ready for donating.  This is a fairly low risk surgery for Rob, but it is surgery with the need for recovery time.  It is natural to have some fear.  the surgery will be much more extensive for Kathy, but getting her life back to a better normal will be so good!

We could dwell on so many "why" and "what if" questions, and we have asked them.  But we serve a mighty God!  We trust that He will be the one to carry us all through each and every day whether those days are easy or hard.

We could ask why Rob's sister is going through this, but we know God's truth.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. -Isaiah 55:8-9

We could be panicked over both Rob and his sister's outcomes, but again, we know God's truth.

What, then, shall we say in response to this?  If God is for us, who can be against us? -Romans 8:31

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ       -Philippians 3:20

We have peace.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:7

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. -John 12:27

Peace doesn't mean we don't have concerns.  So, please pray.

- Pray for Kathy and her health.
- Pray for our entire family (Rob's parents, both sisters and extended families included) to develop a deeper relationship with our Lord and Savior in the midst of this trial and other trials in our life right now as well.
-Pray for Rob as he feels overwhelmed with wanting to be healthy enough to donate and wanting to donate this summer.  Sometimes it's hard to wait on God's timing.
-Pray for all of us not to worry.
-Pray for the doctors to make good decisions in regards to Rob's health and ability to actually donate the kidney.
-Pray for whoever will be donating their kidney to Kathy since Rob and Kathy aren't a match this will be a paired exchange donation where Rob gives to someone else and another person gives to Kathy.

Lastly, pray for Kathy & Rob's dad who is battling a brain tumor right now.  A lot is going on, but God has everyone in His hands and where they need to be.

Rob and his sister's and parents